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Sustainable Development and Income Inequality

Meister, Simon LU (2021) EKHS22 20211
Department of Economic History
Abstract
Income disparities and planetary boundaries present worldwide threats to social
stability and security. An extensive body of literature studies the determinants of income
inequality. Generally, economic growth and environmental sustainability are found to have
moderating effects on income inequality. Adjusted net savings (ANS) is a composite indicator
measuring sustainable development assessing the wealth of nations in a more comprehensive
manner than the gross domestic product does. While ANS’ relationship with welfare and
wellbeing experiences growing research interest, its relationship with income inequality
remains unexplored. This is surprising, as research suggests that addressing economic,
environmental, and social... (More)
Income disparities and planetary boundaries present worldwide threats to social
stability and security. An extensive body of literature studies the determinants of income
inequality. Generally, economic growth and environmental sustainability are found to have
moderating effects on income inequality. Adjusted net savings (ANS) is a composite indicator
measuring sustainable development assessing the wealth of nations in a more comprehensive
manner than the gross domestic product does. While ANS’ relationship with welfare and
wellbeing experiences growing research interest, its relationship with income inequality
remains unexplored. This is surprising, as research suggests that addressing economic,
environmental, and social aspects together is paramount to achieving sustainability. This thesis
combines these aspects by investigating the relationship between ANS and income inequality.
Analysing panel data for a host of over 50 countries with observations between 1978 and 2018,
the long-term association between ANS and income inequality is scrutinized. Gross national
income and net national savings serve as instruments for real ANS per capita. The findings
indicate that ANS is positively related to income inequality. The relationship does not differ by
state of economic development and is robust to alternative specifications. The results highlight
the key role policy makers play in combining increases in sustainable development with
decreasing income inequalities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Meister, Simon LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Adjusted Net Savings and Income Inequality
course
EKHS22 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainable Development, Income Inequality, Adjusted Net Savings, Weak Sustainability
language
English
id
9058806
date added to LUP
2021-08-26 10:51:14
date last changed
2021-08-26 10:51:14
@misc{9058806,
  abstract     = {{Income disparities and planetary boundaries present worldwide threats to social 
stability and security. An extensive body of literature studies the determinants of income 
inequality. Generally, economic growth and environmental sustainability are found to have 
moderating effects on income inequality. Adjusted net savings (ANS) is a composite indicator 
measuring sustainable development assessing the wealth of nations in a more comprehensive 
manner than the gross domestic product does. While ANS’ relationship with welfare and 
wellbeing experiences growing research interest, its relationship with income inequality 
remains unexplored. This is surprising, as research suggests that addressing economic, 
environmental, and social aspects together is paramount to achieving sustainability. This thesis 
combines these aspects by investigating the relationship between ANS and income inequality.
Analysing panel data for a host of over 50 countries with observations between 1978 and 2018, 
the long-term association between ANS and income inequality is scrutinized. Gross national 
income and net national savings serve as instruments for real ANS per capita. The findings 
indicate that ANS is positively related to income inequality. The relationship does not differ by 
state of economic development and is robust to alternative specifications. The results highlight 
the key role policy makers play in combining increases in sustainable development with 
decreasing income inequalities.}},
  author       = {{Meister, Simon}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Sustainable Development and Income Inequality}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}